Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Kearny, NJ: $85,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Kearny, NJ job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,023 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kearny's local price level (BEA RPP 115.2 — 15% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,805 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,337) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field of civil engineering in Kearny, NJ, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $85,023 in 2026. This initial figure represents the lower end of the local salary range for entry-level positions and is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $115,337. However, young professionals can anticipate steady growth in their earnings as they gain experience, with opportunities to reach approximately $95,404 within a few years. Kearny is currently a favorable market for new grads, given the robust demand for civil engineers driven by infrastructure spending resulting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This environment suggests that young engineers equipped with the right credentials will find ample opportunities for career advancement in the area.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kearny
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
Entry-level civil engineers in Kearny, NJ typically start between $85,023 and $95,404 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $93,749 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,337 — 11.45% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in New Jersey of $80,000 represents just 94.09% of the starting civil engineer pay ($85,023/year) in Kearny. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Kearny
- 1Research the Kearny market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $85,023 to $95,404, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in NJ often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kearny, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Kearny for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Kearny's above-average cost of living (index: 115.2) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Kearny is $93,749 ( 110.26%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,023, experienced hygienists can earn up to $178,772.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,232
2025 BLS Actual
$82,844
2026 Current Est.
$85,023
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,232 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,179 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,508 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,844 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,259 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kearny, NJ grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,232 in 2019 to $82,844 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,259. New graduates entering the Kearny job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Kearny
In Kearny, various employers actively recruit entry-level civil engineers, which diversifies job prospects for new graduates. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn seek out fresh talent, typically providing structured training programs that guide new hires through the essential steps toward earning their PE licenses. Government agencies, like state DOTs and the US Army Corps of Engineers, offer stable career paths with attractive benefits. Meanwhile, construction firms such as Bechtel and Fluor are focused more on field engineering roles, which may entail a quicker transition to hands-on projects. By holding an ABET-accredited degree and passing the FE exam for EIT designation, candidates can position themselves favorably for competitive salaries that naturally increase as they gain experience. Within the first three years, consistent achievements and licensing can lead to significant salary growth, as the demand for skilled engineers continues to rise in response to ongoing infrastructure investments.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Kearny. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearny is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov